The English singer-songwriter, who will perform at The Prince's Trust Spring Ball on March 18, has had troubles with record companies in the past, and switched labels three times in the past eight years.

"I find the music industry can be a little bit poisonous, in the sense it's so often led by trend - I find that a bit insidious," she said.

"I don't like the idea of people wanting to make a record that is that year's hit, and being frightened to do anything outside the trend that's being prescribed for us."

With her soulful voice and bluesy songs, Alison always followed her heart, but never aimed to go against the grain intentionally.

"I think people have misunderstood me in a lot of ways," she continued.

"Some of the things I do is seen as dangerous, because it's not always the 'it' thing to do. For me, the hippest people have always the ones who don't have to move with the crowd. Because you do something that's deemed mainstream, it's actually a safe step to take."

Alison used to suffer from agoraphobia, and was seen as a recluse in the industry.

"I know who I am in my own bubble so I never made anything of my contacts in the industry. I've never been a social climber or a networker, and as such, I've just done my job and then scout home in the dark," she added.

:: The Prince's Trust Spring Ball, supported by St Tropez, will take place at The Hurlingham Club in London on March 18.